DALLAS — The Dallas Stars saw their extended run of success come to an abrupt halt Monday night, falling 6-3 to Utah in a game that slipped away late despite strong individual performances and stretches of control.
Wyatt Johnston remained one of the few constants for Dallas, continuing his dominance against Utah with a second-period goal that pushed his point streak against the Mammoth to seven games. The 20-year-old forward has now recorded at least one point in seven of eight career matchups against Utah, piling up eight points over that span. He’s also heating up at the right time, scoring in three straight games and collecting seven points over his last four outings.
Dallas showed flashes early, controlling play for much of the first two periods, but couldn’t capitalize on key chances. Head coach Pete DeBoer noted the Stars lacked sharpness out of the gate, particularly in transition, where missed opportunities off the rush kept the game within reach for Utah.
“We weren’t quite executing early,” DeBoer said. “They gave us some looks, but we didn’t make them pay.”
After battling to a 2-2 tie, momentum shifted quickly. Utah capitalized on defensive breakdowns, including multiple odd-man rushes, to seize control in the third period. A pivotal shorthanded goal further exposed Dallas’ unraveling structure, turning a tight contest into a decisive defeat.
“We started pressing, and that opened things up,” DeBoer added. “You give a team like that chances off the rush, it’s going to cost you.”
Veteran forward Jamie Benn continued his productive stretch, assisting on Sam Steel’s goal to extend his recent run to 16 points in his last 14 games. Esa Lindell also contributed on the play, notching his 22nd assist of the season — a new career high for the defenseman.
Miro Heiskanen stayed red-hot offensively, picking up the primary assist on Johnston’s goal. The helper marked his 57th point of the season, tying a franchise benchmark for one of the top scoring seasons by a defenseman in team history.
Adam Erne added a goal — his fifth of the season and highest total in two years — while Tyler Myers recorded his first point with Dallas on the play, becoming the first Texas-born player to register a point for the franchise.
Despite the offensive contributions, defensive lapses proved costly. Dallas surrendered several odd-man rushes late, including three separate 2-on-1 chances that Utah converted into momentum-shifting opportunities.
“There’s something to learn from every game,” Benn said. “In this league, anyone can beat you on any night. It’s about moving on quickly.”
The loss, Dallas’ first in nearly two months, serves as a reminder of the league’s parity — and the urgency required down the stretch. The Stars now turn their focus to a marquee matchup against Colorado, one of the NHL’s top teams, with little time to dwell on missed opportunities.
“You’ve got to flush this one,” Benn said. “We’ve got a big one coming up, and we want those two points.”
